Published at 11:08, Thursday, 14 June 2012

HAVEN put a poor first half firmly behind them to record an ultimately conclusive win against an improving South Wales.

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Whether Haven thought it would be easy after racing in to a 10-0 lead is unclear, but much of the tackling that followed in the opening half was below their usual standard.

They struggled to subdue the off-load game of the Scorpions, prompted by livewire scrum-half Steve Parry, who were good value for their 18-16 interval lead.

A different Haven emerged after the break, however, and it’s hugely to their credit that they stopped the visitors adding to their first-half tally.

The hosts had opened in impressive fashion, Craig Calvert latching on to his old Wath Brow team-mate Carl Rudd’s chip in the fourth minute to open the scoring, Rudd also adding the extra two. Jamie Rooney’s booming 40-20 kick 10 minutes later gave Haven a great attacking platform, and they took full advantage.

Full-back Andreas Bauer joined the line from the scrum base, and his delayed pass put Calvert in for his second in the corner.

An over-ambitious move in their own half gifted South Wales possession four minutes later, and useful prop James Greenwood barged over. Jamie Murphy slotted the first of his three conversions.

The visitors suddenly came alive, and on 21 minutes they drew level when a chip bounced in their favour and Tom Morgan crossed.

Haven were rattled and another error in their own territory meant they had to defend another set on their line. This time they held firm, and the pressure was relieved after Greenwood spilled a long drop-out.

Max Wiper was bundled into touch after collecting a cross-field bomb, and on 31 minutes the hosts extended their lead, Ashley Bateman touching down next to the sticks.

South Wales again looked to capitalise in the closing minute of the half after Haven were penalised for holding down in midfield.

Another Welsh try would have given Haven a mountain to climb after the break, but their attacking kick was scooped up and passed on to centre Stephen Fox who sprinted out of defence.

Sensibly, he handed on to Calvert, who raced 65 metres down the touchline, pursued vigorously by the cover.

The half-time hooter sounded as he was mid-run, and he had enough in the tank to touch down in the corner.

Rudd added a fine conversion, to create a different atmosphere in the home camp than might have been at the break.

On-loan Widnes prop Anthony Mullally wasted no time in making a second-half impression. After a great run he was held up over the Scorpions’ line, and later in the set, the ball was worked from left flank to right, winger Max Wiper scoring in the corner, to give his side the lead on 50 minutes.

Wiper crossed again 11 minutes later, and once again it followed some sparkling rugby, Luke Isakka supplying the final pass for the try.

Rudd’s difficult kick hit an upright, but he wasted no time in getting involved again, moments later his classy cut-out pass creating room for Calvert, who stepped inside the cover for his fourth try of the day.

Rooney’s conversion made it 30-18 and the Scorpions’ resistance was all but over.

Hard-working Dave Houghton broke down the middle and fed Fox, with Mullally then hit high as he went for the line.

The huge prop was soon back to his feet and Rooney banged over the penalty. South Wales were no longer in bonus point territory and Rooney added another two points after the ball was ripped. Calvert looked to add a fifth in the closing exchanges but put a foot on the sideline as he headed for the corner. He could be forgiven. In addition to his tries, the winger also shone in defence and did his share of work in making the hard yards off his own line. A more than worthy man-of the-match.

Haven: Bauer, Calvert, Fox, Parker, Wiper, Rooney, Rudd, Houghton, Sice, Cullnean, Varkulis, Doran, Crellin. Subs: Karalius, Isakka, Mullally, Haggerty.

Tries: Calvert 4, Wiper 2

Goals: Rooney 3, Rudd 2

Scorpions: Murphy, K James, D James, Morgan, King, Wildbore, Parry, Greenwood, Mossop, Burke, Vitalini, Davies, Burke. Subs: Farrer, Bateman, Davies, Dallimore.

Tries: Greenwood, Morgan, Bateman

Goals: Murphy 3

Referee: Dave Merrick

Attendance: 648

Star Man: Craig Calvert.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk